Warminster's "Art in the Park" a Success

Yesterday Warminster Park Community Centre saw over 30 exhibitors present for the first "Art in the Park" show, designed in part to raise funds for the future redecoration of the Community Centre, but also to showcase local artists' work.

From paintings to photography, from stained glass to jewellery, there was something for everyone on show during the day. The exhibition was opened at 10am by Gandalf the Grey, and throughout the day a "steady flow" of potential customers pass through the doors according to Linda Blake, organiser of the event.

Linda, Chairman of the Warminster Art Society, said, "We decided to hold an event to raise funds for the future redecoation of the Community Centre. As we use the hall regularly for courses and events, it seemed a good idea to be able to give something back."

The general consensus amongst exhibitors was that the day had gone "reasonably well", with some stalls making a number of sales throughout the day. Linda explains that whilst this is the first time an "Art in the Park" exhibition has taken place, she "had to turn a number of exhibitors away" through a lack of space in the hall. Linda has a provisional date in mind for 2012, hopefully to coincide with the Warminster Festival, and feels confident that it will be even bigger than this inaugural event.

During the day there were a number of demonstrations of arts and crafts, including a fascinating display from Lorna Halstead (www.thepaintingexperience.com) who showed how easy it is to paint

with oils, and churned out a number of pieces throughout the day to show potential students how the "Bob Ross" painting technique works.

Exhibitors included:

Anthea Hadley - Terracotta

Becky Churchill - Chairs/Crafts/Recycled Materials

Jo Duggan/Sandra Duggan - Pottery

Alan Shepherd - Art and Craft Books

Phyllis Parker - Collection of Paintings/Prints/Cards

Jo Wade - Paintings

Maggie Dettmar - Paintings

Pauline Jarvis - Crafts/Paintings

Mil Chimley & Huw Alban - Photography/Cards

Elisa & Paula Amor - Textiles/Crafts/Paintings

Hilary Jackson - Oil/Acrylic Paintings/Cards

Jill Coward - Prints/Scarves

Moira Ladd - Paintings

Stephanie Cutland - Paintings

Lorna Halstead - Oil Painting

Linda Beveridge - Jewellery

Justine Hadfield - Stained Glass

Lesley Fudge - Paintings/Sculptured Cloth Dolls

Carole Hood - Fascinators

Sue Burrow - Textile Art

Wannara Lane (Ida) - Jewellery Accessories

Linda Blake - Paintings/Photographs/Prints/Cards

Linda Groark - Jewellery/Cards/Paintings (folksy.com/shops/beadlins)

Dee Wade - Jewellery from a Bygone Age

Jenny Keevil - Save the Children Fund

Pauline Wood - Craft/Items/Paintings

Irene St John, M&M Handicrafts - Wooden Plaques and Goods